More flexibility in the face of market and economic fluctuations as well as access to the latest technologies. This is the promise of the new “Woodworking-as-a-Service” business model, which is to be created over the next two years. In the future, this will enable customers to pay for a machine according to actual use. This means that instead of purchasing a machine once for an amount X, customers will receive a machine whose utilization is billed at regular intervals. Thus, it is no longer the machine that is at the forefront of the business model, but its performance, output, availability and the service provided that assures all this.

In the course of the “InvestBW” support program of the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Weinig Group has also received a commitment to support the “Woodworking-as-a-Service” business model innovation. This program provides funding to companies based in Baden-Württemberg for technological research and development projects aimed at new and data-based business models and services (smart services).

Within this funding project, Weinig will cooperate with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA), Roth Steuerungstechnik and Hogra-Holz. Fraunhofer IPA from Stuttgart will support the consortium with the latest methods from science and expertise in business modeling. Roth Steuerungstechnik from Billigheim is the software expert in the team and an important partner around the development of the technical application of the service. The company is particularly proud of the participation of Hogra-Holz from Limbach as a pilot customer, according to Jochen Ganz, Head of New Business & Innovation at Weinig. With their participation, it could be ensured that the business model would be developed close to the customer’s requirements and that the customer’s perspective would be integrated from the very beginning.

The official start of the project has already been made. In a meeting with the partners involved, the project plan and the work packages were finalized. The intention is to provide information on further developments at regular intervals to ensure full transparency, says Julian Geiselhardt, Innovation Manager and Project Manager for “Woodworking-as-a-Service”.

By focusing on the expansion of smart and digital business models, Weinig is once again living up to its reputation as an innovation driver.